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USA blitz Japan in women's World Cup final

The USA scored a stunning four goals in the opening 15 minutes to help propel them to victory over Japan in the Women’s World Cup final in Canada.

Star midfielder Carli Lloyd underlined her predatory reputation netting three of the goals with strikes in the third minute, fifth minute and 15th minute to kill off Japan's hopes with 75 minutes remaining.

In a ruthless display, Lloyd kick-started the party when she latched onto a short corner for the opening goal.

She then struck two minutes later when the defending world champions failed to clean up a free kick after the ball was played into the penalty area and deflected off a defender straight into the American star's path.

Teammate Lauren Holiday then added to Japan's anguish in the 13th minute when she volleyed home the third goal, before Lloyd struck again with an audacious shot from just inside the Japanese half.

Taking the ball inside her own half, the 32-year-old noticed Japanese keeper Ayumi Kaihori standing well out from the goal line and launched her shot with the ball sailing over the head of the retreating shot stopper, who slipped over, before it bounced into the back of the net.

Japan managed to jag a goal back through forward Yuki Ogimi in the 27th minute to complete an opening half goal fest.

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The USA lead 4-1 at the half-time break at Vancouver's BC Place Stadium. But it didn't take long for the goals to continue in the second stanza with Japan striking back in the 52nd minute after US defender Julie Johnston headed in an own goal.

Two minutes later the US pushed the score to 5-2 when midfielder Tobin Heath scored after Japan again failed to clear out a corner.

Victory gave the US its their third World Cup after winning in 1991 and 1999 and avenged their penalty shootout loss to Japan in 2011.